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Claytonium

Diag with UC in 2007... Thought I had a bacterial infection from drinking out of the same cup as a dog (I've done worse). One peek with the sig, and doc was like "COLITIS!!!"

Played with the typical Mesalamine and Prednisone... Pred was the only thing that seemed to keep my guts, joint pain, and plantar Fascitis in check. So after 4 years of high to med. doses of that, my new Dr. (old one retired) said we have to get you off of the Pred. So I switched to Imuran, did a 6 week taper (off Pred), and was in very bad arthritis pain. I still haven't lost the Pred face and tummy, but I can live with that. The underfoot pain is my biggest problem at the moment (2012).

A loving wife, and 2 awesome school-aged children keep me from being too sad about my situation.

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Yes! Pred is evil and wonderful! I thought I had become dependent after 5 years of high to med doses. But it turns out that the withdrawal symptoms are just really nasty for some. I had full-on crippling arthritis symptoms for 6 weeks at the end of my final taper. Now my plantar fasciitis is back, and I had forgotten how much that hurts. I am able to take ibuprofen, so that helps, but not much. Imuran is holding my bowls together at the moment, but the extra-intestinal symptoms are my biggest pain.

I'd avoid long term Pred, if you can. Best of luck on figuring out what works for you. These boards are great for ideas!

My ulcers have been confined to less than a linear foot from my rectum...

So I'm wondering if removing that section (yes, this may cause a plumbing issue) would have any effect on the extra-intestinal symptoms I experience (joint pain, fatigue, dehydration, abdominal and facial bloating, crankiness)?

So, what TRIGGERS a flair, and what I can't eat during a flair are 2 completely different things...

For instance, I just found that Banana is a trigger for me... I've been in a remission, want some potassium, eat a banana or two that week... and, ut oh, abdominal bloating and blood in the stool! At that point (in a flair) I become resistant to nearly all fiber (especially wheat like bread and pasta). Once I eat a few bacon burgers without a bun or vegies (3 days), I am back to a remission, and can eat anything (including wheat stuff)except bananas (is what I've found, so far).

Also I tend to flair in Fall (really bad), and Spring (pretty consistent).

I haven't read the Cycle-Breaking book, yet... But on my own, I found that nothing gave me energy, and actually stayed in my belly better than a Baconator (no bun) from Wendy's. I can't explain it, but everyone I reccommend this to comes back and thanks me. For me, a baconator diet for under a week gets my bowels back in order, no matter what medication I am on at the time. Once my flair is under control, I can eat most anything, except for some flair foods I have identified for myself.

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